Tolerance and Diversity Institute

Images of Diversity - Oktai

Produced by Tolerance and Diversity Institute (TDI) for Images of Diversityhttps://www.facebook.com/images.of.di...

The video tells the story of Oktai Kazumov, ethnic Azerbaijani who was born and raised in Georgia. Oktai is a philologist. He specializes in the history of ancient Georgian Language and works at the Institute of Georgian Literature in Tbilisi. He is translating literary texts between Azerbaijani and Georgian. At early age, his passion and love for the language prompted him to choose his career. He enrolled at university with a mission to appear as a connecting bridge between two ethnicities.

In the video, Oktai reflects on the problem of alienation of ethnic minorities, the legacy of ethnonationalist political discourse and collective memory of Ethnic Azerbaijanis’ discrimination. He dwells on the responsibility of the State to develop a coherent policy for integration of ethnic minorities, as well as attitudes of ethnic Georgians. Majority sometimes refers to him, as a representative of Azerbaijani diaspora rather than a citizen of Georgia with equal rights and opportunities. Is it possible for Ethnic Azerbaijani to become a president of Georgia? – this rhetorical question and the following answer may reveal a plethora of stereotypes and phobias within Georgian society.

Directed, filmed and edited by Beso Gvenetadze

Featuring: Oktai Kazumov

Project Manager: Eka Chitanava

Songs used: “Adventure, Darling”, “Porthglaze Cove” and “Multitudes” by Gillicuddy, available at http://freemusicarchive.org/music/gil..., licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/...). Changes were made in “Multitudes”.